Orienting and feeding apparatus for manufacturing line

ABSTRACT

The present improvement is useful for orienting and feeding blow molded preforms. Cylindrical preforms have larger threaded necks with larger encircling discs below the necks. A pair of belts is provided for conveying objects downstream. The gap between these belts is less than the disc diameter of the preforms. An output means is provided for receiving the oriented objects and directing them downstream. A means is provided at the output of the belts for deflecting any improperly oriented preforms back for recirculation. An increase in the feed rate of the preforms is achieved by an agitation means such as a blower positioned to disperse the interlocked assemblages and help move the preforms down into the belts.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International ApplicationPCT/US2007/017276, with an international filing date of Aug. 2, 2007,which in turn takes priority from the inventors' U.S. application Ser.No. 11/498,328 filed Aug. 2, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,458.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparatus which are useful inorienting and feeding large numbers of successive objects from a supplysource to a downstream processing station. More specifically theinvention relates to such apparatus which are particularly applicable inthe orienting and feeding of generally cylindrical, substantiallyidentical elongated objects.

In the course of manufacturing or assembling various manufactured goodsit is often desirable to orient and feed components or precursors of thegoods from a supply source to a downstream processing station at whichthe components or precursors may be further processed or assembled withother components. Typical manufacturing operations to which theinvention is applicable are blow molding operations and trimmingoperations. At one point e.g., in the manufacture of mass produced blowmolded objects such as plastic containers for beverages or otherliquids, so called “preforms” are fed from a container or hopper to adownstream station or stations where the actual blow molding operationswill occur. In order to carry out this operation in a rapid and accuratefashion it is necessary to order these preforms into a single line ofsuccessive units, all of which are appropriately and identicallyoriented, and which are then directed in single file rapidly movingfashion to the further station(s) such as those of a blow moldingoperation. Basically therefore one starts with a collection of preformsin a large hopper or container and processes these through an orientingand feeding station as to end up with an output flow of single filepreforms, all properly oriented for further processing at downstreamstations.

An example of a well known blow molding preform to which the inventionis applicable, is an elongated generally cylindrical plastic preform,one end of which is a threaded neck portion for the ultimate blow moldedcontainer, and the other end of which extends from the opposed end ofthe cylindrical object as a narrower and heavier tubular portion whichduring the blow molding operation will be softened and enlarged into theultimate container. Such preform further includes an encircling handlingdisc between the threaded neck portion and tubular portion which has alarger diameter than the remaining portions of the preform, the discserving to facilitate handling of the preforms.

In the past it has proved very difficult to orient and feed elongatedobjects of the foregoing types in rapid fashion. Many prior art deviceshave relied upon complex rotating tables and the like having deflectingsurfaces which orient the objects as they spin and centrifugally move onthe table to which they are fed, so as to enable the objects to exitfrom a peripheral point of the table properly oriented. These devicesare unfortunately not capable of rapid and accurate processing of theobjects. Accordingly a need exists for apparatus which are capable oforienting and accurately and rapidly feeding such elongated objects inthe manner of interest to the manufacturer.

In our abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/353,638, filed Jan.29, 2003, and published on Jan. 29, 2004 under US-2004-0144618-A1, wedisclosed apparatus and methods for rapidly orienting and feedinggenerally cylindrical, substantially identical elongated objects whichare broadly characterized by having a maximum transverse diameter Y. Inaccordance with that invention first and second continuous conveyingbelts are provided having input and output ends for cooperativelyconveying such objects toward a downstream processing line. The beltsare mounted so that their respective conveying surfaces are movable in acommon parallel direction. The facing edges of the conveying surfaces ofthese belts are spaced from one another to define a uniform gap betweenthem of a dimension less than Y. The conveying surfaces reside and aremovable in planes which are upwardly sloped away from the gap. Thesurfaces thereby define a zone converging downwardly in the direction ofthe gap. Object input means are provided for depositing the thenunoriented elongated objects at the input ends of the conveying beltsand object output means at the distal ends of the belts receive theobjects, which are then oriented, and direct them toward the downstreamprocessing line. In accordance with the orienting feature of thatearlier invention means are provided for moving the belts in a commondirection, but at different respective speeds. In consequence theunoriented elongated objects deposited at the input ends of the beltsare rotated by contact with the differentially speeding belts as theobjects descend into the converging zone and become supported at the gapand conveyed by riding on the edges of the moving belts which border thegap. The objects as they descend become oriented in positions ofgravitationally maximum stability relative to the mode of support, thesepositions being commonly characteristic for the particular objects.

The said objects are typically fed to the input ends of the belts from asupply hopper or other container via a supply belt on which the objectsare deposited as substantially a single layer of randomly orientedobjects for feeding to the moving conveying belts as a collection ofmutually spaced such objects. The conveying belts are preferablyflattened closed loops, the conveying surfaces of which are defined atthe uppermost sides of the loops. The conveying belts are preferablymoved at a differential speed in the range of 110% to 180% (i.e., onebelt moves at a speed which is 1.1 to 1.8 times faster than the other).The difference in speed is more generally such in relation to the pathlength for conveyance that the objects can be rotated as they descend inthe converging zone to the desired new stable positions. The apparatusand method may include features for removing objects at the output endsof the conveying belts which have not properly descended in theconverging zone to achieve the desired stable support positions at thegap. These mis-oriented objects are recycled to an upstream point forfurther treatment in accordance with the invention.

The just mentioned prior art invention is diagrammatically illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2 in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of such apparatusand FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus. The apparatus 10 shown isparticularly useful for orienting and feeding preforms of the type thathas been previously discussed. These preforms are intended for orientingand feeding to a downstream processing point where they will besubjected to a blow molding process in order to produce a container ofthe type commonly used for various liquids such as large plasticbeverage containers and the like. These preforms 12 are fed from aninput bin (not shown) via a supply input belt 14. The representativepreform 12 is a moldable plastic product which is well known. It is aunitary structure having an enlarged threaded portion 16 from whichextends a tubular portion 18 which is of reduced diameter and which isheavier than the portion 16. As has previously been discussed thethreaded portion 16 will ultimately form the neck of the blow-moldedcontainer, whereas the tubular portion 18 will form the hollow body ofthe container. The preform 12 is seen to be generally cylindrical andits largest transverse diameter is defined at portion 16.

The preforms 12 are next deposited upon a feed input belt 20 which isoperated by a motor 22 which actuates a timing belt 24 for belt 20. Aguard 26 surrounds the timing belt. Preforms 12 are deposited upon thesurface 25 of input belt 20 substantially as a single layer so that theybecome relatively spread out as separated objects as they proceed to theremainder of apparatus 10. One of the guide walls 21 bordering belt 20has been partially broken away to better show this. As seen in FIGS. 1and 2 the preforms 12 descend down a chute 28 whereupon they reach thefeed orienting and conveying belts 30. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.1 and 2 the conveying belts 30 comprise a first belt 32 and a secondbelt 34. The latter can comprise a single wide belt, but in thisembodiment actually comprises two commonly driven sub-belts 36 and 38.

Belts 32 and 34 are driven by separate motors and gearing arrangements,one such motor and gear box being shown at 40. The speed of these motorsis separately controlled with the objective that the belts 32 and 34 aredriven at different speeds. The preferable differential speed is in therange of approximately 110 to 180 percent. The belt 34 as mentionedconsists of two sub-belts 36 and 38 in order to give it a greater width.This is necessary since the objects being fed from chute 28 proceed fromthe outer side of belt 34, which preferably has a sufficient width atits upwardly facing conveying surface to accommodate the approximatelength of the elongated objects even when crosswise, thereby preventingthe objects from falling off. The opposed first belt 32 is provided witha guard edge 33 (shown in FIG. 2 and partially in FIG. 1) to prevent thepreforms from inadvertently falling from that side of the moving belts30.

A basic feature of the said prior art invention as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2is that the belts 32 and 34 have their conveying surfaces 35 and 37 inplanes which are sloped upwardly away from the space or gap 42 which isdefined between the adjacent edges of the parallel moving belts. Thesesloping surfaces provided by the belts therefore define a convergingzone 43 wherein the preforms 12 gravitationally descend toward the gap42. The angle of convergence for this zone is generally in the range of90° to 120°, but may vary depending upon the objects being oriented, andother factors such as the rates of belt advance. The two surfacesbounding the zone of convergence need not have an identical slope anglewith respect to the gap. The preforms 12 are objects which are generallycylindrical and have a maximum diameter Y defined by the threaded neckportion 16. The gap 42 between the belts 32 and 34 is of a dimensionwhich is less than Y but greater than the smallest transverse diameterof tubular portion 18 of preforms 12. Gap 42 can be varied by anadjusting screw 45. Because of the differential speed of movement of theconveying surfaces of the belts 32 and 34 the preforms 12 as theydescend in converging zone 43 are rotated by contact with the belts oneach side of the object, and as they drop toward and into gap 42 theyachieve their characteristically gravitationally most stable position.In this case that position is one wherein the heavier tubular portion 18slides downward into and through the gap 42 and wherein the enlargedneck portion 16 rides upon the adjacent edges of the two conveyingsurfaces 35 and 37. The preforms 12 are therefore now properly orientedand continue downstream.

A deflecting surface 44 is provided at the output ends of the belts 30to deflect any preforms which are not properly oriented and seated inthe gap 42, so that these deflected objects proceed to the right in thesense of FIG. 1 onto a recycle conveyer 46, which feeds these recycledobjects back to the belts 30 at an upstream point via return chute 48.

From the output end of the apparatus 10 the now oriented preforms 12proceed via an output chute or channel 50 where they are advanced to afurther station as for example the aforementioned blow molding station(or associated stations) at which heating and blow molding of thepreforms 12 may occur.

The prior art apparatus discussed, while being generally effective inits use, was found by the inventors to be commercially unacceptable inthat during operation preforms which did not descend properly into thegap between the conveying belts and become correctly seated therein,would frequently become impossible to deflect from the conveyed streamat the output end thereof and would thereby impair the apparatusoperation. Lengthy investigation revealed that what was happening, asillustrated in the schematic of FIGS. 3 and 3A, was that the preform 60shown there was becoming frictionally locked due to the edge 62 of disc64 effectively locking with the lateral edge 66 of the adjacent belt 37.Thus a solution was sought which is the subject of our issued U.S. Pat.No. 7,322,458 (herein '458), the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

In accordance with the '458 improvement, and in order to preclude orminimize the preforms resisting deflection due to frictional lockbetween the disc portion of the preform and an adjacent lateral edge ofan opposed belt, one or both of the lateral edges of the belts aboundingthe gap are formed to diverge upwardly away from the belt gap. Thedeflection means at the output of the apparatus preferably comprises ablow-out device, but can comprise other means such as a mechanical hook,arm, or surface, and at least the lateral edge of the conveying beltwhich is at the side of the deflection is provided with the saiddiverging form of surface. The diverging edge of the belt can be asimple linear sloped surface or can be a smoothly curved or otherdivergent surface.

In a further aspect of the '458 invention, vertical side walls aremounted to extend downwardly at each side of said gap, to stabilize theseated preforms as they are conveyed by the moving belts. It will beunderstood that as used herein the term “belts” is meant to encompassboth flexible cloth-like materials, as well as the preferably used hardlink-type chain, the links of which comprise a hard plastic or metallicmaterial.

The differential in speed of the conveying belts is preferably in therange of 110 to 180% for high speed operation. 140 to 160% differentialis an even more preferable speed differential.

As thus seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A the handling disc 64 during deflection byblow-out or other means impinges against a lateral edge of belt 37 whichhas been modified to the form of a linearly sloping surface whichdiverges in an upward direction to preclude or minimize any frictionallocking as might otherwise occur as the preform 60 is displaced upwardlyand to the right in the sense of the Figures. The angle 68 of the slopewith respect to a perpendicular to the belt 37 can typically be such asshown, i.e. as to bring the sloped surface into a substantially verticalplane. The lateral edge of the opposed belt 35 can be sloped in asimilar manner to minimize possible lock at that edge; however the moreimportant modification is at belt 37 which is assumed in the Figure tobe the direction in which the improperly seated preform 60 is beingdeflected.

A further advantageous modification is the addition of downwardlyextending guide walls 70. These extend downwardly in the gap between thebelts and serve to guide and stabilize the advancing preforms which haveproperly seated in the gap.

FIGS. 5 and 5A are similar to FIGS. 4 and 4A, except that the lateraledge of belt 37, instead of being uniformly sloped, is formed into asmoothly upwardly diverging curved surface. This arrangement provides acorresponding function to the sloped surface of the prior embodiment. Asin that prior embodiment the lateral edge of belt 35 can be similarlyformed, and combinations of divergent surfaces at the lateral edges ofthe belts abounding the gap can also be used.

FIGS. 6 and 6A are illustrative of a further feature of the '458invention, viz. an improved deflection means. FIG. 6 shows a preform 75,which is properly seated, and advancing in the gap between belts 35 and37. A further preform 76 which did not properly seat is shown in thecourse of being deflected by an air stream from bow-out nozzle 71. Thisnozzle 71 directs the air stream through an opening 74 in guide wall 33(FIGS. 1 and 2) at a point near the output end of the apparatus wherethe deflection is to be accomplished. FIG. 6A shows the blow-out preform76 as it continues to deflect from the conveying line.

While the '458 apparatus has proved very effective in use, recentrequirements to increase the feed output rates of preforms above therates heretofore demanded of the apparatus, has led to the finding thatat such higher feed rates the fraction of the input feed which isrejected at the output of the conveying belts (the “recycling yield”)increases markedly. For example where a 500 ppm (parts per minute) inputfeed to the '458 apparatus was used, the inventors found that they weregenerating an 8% recycling yield, which amounted to a 40 ppm loss fromthe throughput stream. Hence to achieve a desired output rate of 500ppm, the equipment had to be run at 540 ppm throughput feed rate, whichalthough a higher rate of apparatus operation, was well within thetolerable zone of operation for the apparatus. However when the speed ofapparatus operation was increased to achieve an 800 ppm output, therecycling yield soared to 23% or 184 ppm reject rate, thus requiringrunning the apparatus at a speed commensurate with a 984 ppm throughputfeed rate in order to yield the desired preform output of 800 ppm. Thiswas considered to be an apparatus running speed which exceeded what wasfully acceptable. Accordingly a solution was sought which might lowerthe recycling yield rate where the higher throughput feed rates wereused, in order that it would not be necessary to run the apparatus atunacceptably high speeds merely to compensate for the higher proportionof recycled preforms generated where a higher throughput rate ofpreforms is used.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present inventors' study of patterns associated with the higher feedrates, indicated that at the higher throughput rates preforms wereforming interlocked assemblages downstream of the input, which in turnprevented preforms locked into the assemblages from properly droppinginto the gap between the belts. Therefore, and in accordance with thepresent invention an improvement is provided, which when incorporatedinto the apparatus of the aforementioned '458 patent enables increasingof the throughput feed rate of preforms through the apparatus, withoutconsequentially increasing the production and recycling rates ofimproperly seated preforms at the output ends of the conveying belts.The invention thereby obviates what would otherwise be an unacceptableincrease in the fraction of improperly seated preforms caused by theincreased preforms feed rate generating interlocked assemblages amongthe deposited preforms proceeding from the input and conveyed by thebelts.

Pursuant to the invention, this is accomplished by providing means foragitating the deposited preforms downstream of the input to the belts,the said means preferably acting on the preforms at one or more pointswhich are closer to the input end than to the output end of theconveying belts; i.e. the point or points of such action preferably arewithin the first 50% of the path extending between the input and outputends of the conveying belts. These agitating means thus act to disperseinterlocked assemblages of the preforms into individual preforms foracting upon by the remaining portions of the apparatus. In one instancefor example, the agitation means was added just after the input to thebelts. To achieve an output of 800 ppm as discussed in the above“Background” this resulted in the 23% recycling yield above cited forthe unmodified '458 apparatus, dropping to 6% or 48 ppm, which allowedlowering the unit's belt speeds to an 850 ppm throughput rate, which isin the acceptable running speed.

Preferably the agitating means comprises means for directing adispersing air stream at the undesired assemblages. Such means may e.g.comprise an air blower. The air stream directing means may be positionedto direct the air stream downwardly from a point overlying the advancingpreforms, and can further or alternatively be positioned to at leastpartially direct the air stream transversely to the path of theadvancing preforms. The air stream directing means may act at a singlepoints of the advancing preform feed, or can comprise several spaced airstream sources which respectively act at different points of theadvancing preform feed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example in thedrawings appended hereto, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventors' prior art apparatus asdescribed in the above “Background” portion of the present application;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the prior art apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of a preform which has becomefrictionally locked in the prior art apparatus, in a manner discussed inthe foregoing; FIG. 3A is an enlargement of the portions of FIG. 3 whichare most pertinent to the locking action;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but depicting the improvedstructural features of the inventors' prior art '458 patent, which serveto overcome the frictional locking effect;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlargements of the portions of FIG. 4 which aremost pertinent to the prior art '458 improvements;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a further embodiment ofthe prior art '458 invention;

FIG. 5A is an enlargement of the portions of FIG. 5 which are mostpertinent to the '458 prior art improvement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a further prior art view similar to FIG. 4, but showing how apreform may become properly seated in the gap between conveying belts,and also showing a blow-out nozzle positioned to remove improperlyseated preforms;

FIG. 6A is a further prior art view, similar to FIG. 6, but showing animproperly seated preform being blown from the line of conveyance by theblow-out nozzle;

FIG. 7 and the enlarged inset FIG. 7A shows the improvement of theinvention incorporated into the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 and the enlarged inset FIG. 8A is an end view similar to FIG. 2but showing the improvement of the invention incorporated into theapparatus of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 4, but showing the improvement of theinvention incorporated into the apparatus portions shown in Figure.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The improvement of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 7, 7A, 8,and 8A, which should be viewed simultaneously. As will be appreciatedfrom the “Brief Description of Drawings”, the apparatus 10 shown inFIGS. 7, 7A, 8, and 8A, is identical to the apparatus in the inventors''458 patent, with the important exception of the improvement to bedescribed. Accordingly corresponding parts of the apparatus areidentified by common reference numerals, and the operation of theapparatus of the present invention, with the exceptions to be discussed,are identical with the '458 patent.

In the present invention it will be seen that an agitating means 101 isprovided, which in the preferred embodiment shown, takes the form of apressurized air stream source 103 including an end hose 105 which isattached to a nozzle 107. Input pressurized air 109 is delivered to hose105 by a source (not shown) which can be a fan or other driven blower ora tank of pressurized air, with the discharged air stream 111 exitingfrom the open end 113 of nozzle 107. The open end 113 of nozzle 107 hasa flattened tip 115 in order to provide the discharged stream 111 as anextended curtain of air. The nozzle 107 is secured to a bracket 117which extends from guide wall 33, and is disposed above the advancingpreforms so that the discharge air stream 111 is directed bothdownwardly and at least partially transversely to the advancingpreforms. In the arrangement shown, the discharge stream 111 is directedfrom the side of the apparatus opposed to the guide wall 33, which wallacts as a restraint to keep the preforms from being blown from theconveyed feed stream by the discharge stream 111.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the agitating means is disposed justdownstream of the input end of the conveying belts. Preferably the saidmeans is disposed so that its agitating action will occur at a pointwhich is downstream no more than halfway of the distance between theinput and output points of the conveying belts. This assures that theagitating means will act on the preforms at a point which is closer tothe input end than the output end of the conveying belts, to disperseinterlocked assemblages of the preforms into individual preforms foracting upon by the remaining portions of the apparatus.

The agitating means such as the air stream source shown, need notcomprise a single unit, but can e.g. comprise a plurality of air streamsources, each acting at a different point within the first half of theconveyed path of the preforms extending between the input and outputs ofthe conveying belts.

Similarly, the discharge direction of the air stream or streams can beadjusted to achieve the desired results, as can the discharge velocityand the shape of the discharge air stream.

While the present invention has been set forth in terms of specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood in view of the presentdisclosure that numerous variations upon the invention are now enabledto those skilled in the art, which variations yet reside within thepresent teachings. For example, while the agitating means of theinvention has been shown as a directed air stream, other agitating meanscan be used to disperse the interlocked preform assemblages, such asmeans to vibrate the assemblages by directed sonic or other sources ofmechanical energy. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construedand limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims now appendedhereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for orienting and feeding blowmolded preforms which are elongated generally cylindrical plasticobjects, one end of which is a threaded neck portion for the ultimateblow molded container, and the other end of which extends from theopposed end of the cylindrical object as a narrower and heavier tubularportion which during the blow molding operation will be softened andenlarged into the ultimate container, the preform further including anencircling handling disc between the threaded neck portion and tubularportion which has a larger diameter than the remaining portions of theperform, the disc serving to facilitate handling of the preforms, saidapparatus including: (a) first and second continuous conveying beltshaving input and output ends for cooperatively conveying said objectstoward a processing line; (b) means for moving said belts in a commondirection; (c) said belts being mounted so that the respective conveyingsurfaces move in a common parallel direction; the lateral facing edgesof said belts being spaced from one another to define a uniform gaptherebetween of a dimension greater than the transverse diameter of saidtubular portion and less than the transverse diameter of said enlargeddisc portion of said preform s; (d) said conveying surfaces residing andmoving in respective planes which are upwardly sloped away from saidgap, said surfaces thereby defining a zone converging downwardly in thedirection of said gap; (e) object input means for depositing saidpreforms at said input end of said moving belts; (f) means for movingsaid belts at different respective speeds, whereby the elongatedpreforms from said input end are rotated by contact with thedifferentially speeding belts, permitting the heavier tubular portion todescend in said converging zone and slip into said gap and pointvertically downward while the preform is supported at the gap andconveyed by the enlarged disc portion riding on the edges of the movingbelts which border the gap; (g) means at the output ends of said beltsfor blowing out of the line any preforms which are not properly orientedand seated in the gap; (h) preform output means at said output end ofsaid belts for receiving the oriented preforms and directing them towardsaid processing line; and (i) means for precluding or minimizing thepreforms resisting deflection at means (g) due to frictional lockbetween the disc portion of the preform and an adjacent lateral edge ofa said opposed belt, comprising: the lateral edge of the belt aboundingthe gap in the direction of deflection being formed to diverge upwardlyaway from the belt gap; THE IMPROVEMENT which enables an increase in thefeed rate of preforms through the apparatus while not substantiallyincreasing the production rate and consequent rejection rate ofimproperly seated performs at means (g) due to the increased feed rateof said preforms generating interlocked assemblages among the depositedperforms proceeding from means (e); comprising: (j) means for agitatingthe deposited preforms proceeding from means (e), said means acting onthe assemblages of preforms at one or more points which are closer tosaid input end than said output end of said conveying belts, positionedto disperse the interlocked assemblages of said preforms into individualpreforms and direct the performs down the conveying belts for actingupon by the remaining means (f) through (i) of said apparatus. 2.Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said agitating meanscomprises means for directing a dispersing air stream at saidassemblages.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein saidagitating means comprises an air blower.
 4. Apparatus in accordance withclaim 2, wherein said air stream directing means is positioned to directsaid air stream downwardly from a point overlying said advancingpreforms.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said airstream directing means is positioned to direct said air stream at leastpartially transverse to the path of said advancing preforms. 6.Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, further including a guide wallextending upwardly at one side of said gap, and said air streamdirecting means being positioned to the side of said gap opposed to saidguide wall.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the lateraledges of both belts abounding the gap are formed to diverge upwardlyaway from the belt gap.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, whereinthe lateral edge is formed as a straight sloping surface.
 9. Apparatusin accordance with claim 2, wherein said preform input means includes anpreform conveyer belt, a feed hopper, and means to move said preformsfrom said hopper to said conveyer belt and deposit the preforms thereonas substantially a single layer of preforms for feeding to said movingbelts as a collection of substantially mutually spaced preforms. 10.Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said conveying belts areflattened closed loops, said conveying surfaces being defined at theuppermost sides of said loops.
 11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1,wherein said processing line is a blow molding line.
 12. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 2, wherein said means for moving said belts atdifferent speeds enables a differential speed in the range of 110 to180%.
 13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said means formoving said belts at different speeds enables a differential speed inthe range of 140 to 160%.
 14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2,further including vertical side walls mounted to extend downwardly ateach side of said gap, to stabilize the seated preforms as they areconveyed by the moving belts.
 15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1further comprising a recycle conveyer for transporting recycled objectsback to an upstream point on the conveying belts.